Four months later, he learnt to ski as part of a course designed for injured servicemen.

He said: “At first when the bomb hit I thought I was all right, but the pain kicked in moments later.

“I was in agony all over and there was so much bleeding. I was just shouting and screaming.

“Losing my leg has had an effect on me and my family. I found it difficult to deal with at first.

“But I can do a lot more than I thought I would be able to when they first broke the news. The skiing gave me a lot of confidence.”

LCpl Meadows plans to stay in the Army and even hopes to return to Afghanistan to work on one of the bases there.

He also has plans to train as a headquarters radio operator.

His injury inspired his colleagues in the regiment to cycle the 6,000 miles from Afghanistan to Chester – using static gym bikes at their former base in Helmand.

They will donate the £1,200 they raised to the British limbless ex-servicemen’s association.

The regiment, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, will march a circuit beginning in Castle Street, Chester at 11am on Saturday.

READ Vicki’s blog: http://blogs.liverpoolecho.co.uk/forcesfavourite